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THE LAST PAYCHECK
By John Andrew, Labor Standards Bureau
A frequently asked question in the area of wage
payment concerns when wages have to be paid to employees who quit or who are
terminated from employment. Montana law provides that employees who quit must
receive their final paycheck on the next regular payday for the pay period in
which employees are separated or 15 days from the date of separation, whichever
occurs first. The law further provides that if the employee is separated for
cause or laid off by the employer, the employee must be paid immediately. Immediately
is defined in administrative rule as within four hours or the end of the business
day, whichever occurs first.
The immediate payment provision of the law
does not apply to those employers who have a written personnel policy addressing
employer-initiated separations. Employers who have a written policy in place
may extend the time for final wage payment to a period that conforms to that
applied to employee-initiated separations---the next regular pay day for the
terminal pay period, or 15 days, whichever occurs first. If you are in the unfortunate
situation of letting someone go you may well find that immediate payment is
your best course of action. If this is not practical or poses problems, a written
policy will provide flexibility you may need.
